Damp and Timber Survey in Rhyl

Call: 0800 246 5668 or Simply Contact Us Here

Damp and Timber Surveys & Damp Reports Undertaken in Rhyl on Behalf of: Homeowners, Buyers, Sellers, Solicitors, Mortgage Lenders & Re-Mortgage Equity Release Companies. Damp Specialists Providing Accurate Diagnosis for: Rising Damp, Condensation, Woodworm, Wood Rot, Wood Boring Insects & Timber Decay (Wet & Dry Rot).

Covering the following areas: Rhyl, Rhuddlan, Meliden, Prestatyn, Dyserth, St Asaph, Llanelwy, Cwm, Bodelwyddan, Bodfari, Denbighshire, North Wales.

Need a Specialist Damp Report or a Timber Damp Survey Rhyl? Call: 0800 246 5668 To Book a Survey.

Independent Damp Surveyors Approved & Registered (C.S.R.T.) (C.T.I.S.) Damp Proofing & Timber Treatment Specialists. We Have Been Carrying Out Specialist Timber and Damp Surveys & Report Services for Well Over 40 YEARS.

Rising damp specialists offering chemical free, eco-friendly cost-effective sustainable solutions. Therefore, avoiding unnecessary, costly & disruptive chemical treatments offered by many remedial damp proofing & timber treatment companies in Rhyl.

Adept UK Damp Surveyors – are proud to provide damp & timber surveys for residents based in the Rhyl area.

Independent Damp Surveys Conducted in (Rhyl). Approved damp control specialists & timber surveyors are accredited damp-proof specialists & Certificated Surveyors in Remedial Treatments (C.S.R.T ) (C.T.I.S.) qualifications recognized by the Property Care Association (P.C.A) Formally known as the (BWPDA) (British Wood Preserving & Damp Proofing Association).   

Are you in the process of moving and considering purchasing a property? It is always advisable to anyone buying a property to have a pre-purchase damp and timber survey  completed by damp, wood rot & woodworm treatment companies before completing on a house sale in Rhyl.

If you’re looking to buy a property or you are currently selling your home, then we are your ideal local independent damp specialists who can investigate all damp & decay issues.

If your looking to book a damp and timber survey & report regarding signs of rising damp, wood decay or woodworm in your area, then simple get in touch with one of our locally based damp specialists to book your property survey and arrange an appointment.

Congratulations you’ve found your perfect home, you’ve agreed a price with the sellers, your mortgage company have sent a mortgage surveyor to inspect and value the property, you wait for the homebuyers report with great anticipation and then you are informed by your mortgage lenders, that you need to arrange a damp and timber survey from damp proof, wood rot & woodworm treatment companies Rhyl

What is a Damp and Timber Survey?

A pre-purchase damp and timber survey with a written report in Rhyl can cover any of the following;

• Damp and woodworm survey & report undertaken for clients buying a property in Rhyl and need to get a house or flat inspected by damp specialists and checked for signs of woodworm, wet / dry rot & walls tested for suspected rising damp and penetrating damp to ground floor walls.
• A damp survey Rhyl including a specialist damp report is available to all residents for rising dampness, wood rot, timber decay & wood boring beetles (woodworm infestation)
• Damp-proofing and woodworm survey & specialist report for rising dampness, wood rot, timber decay & wood boring beetles (woodworm infestation)
• Damp specialists will carry out an external inspection to locate the position of any damp-proof course and for high ground levels which may lead to low level dampness.
• Roof timber survey / inspection services, loft timbers inspected for wood rot, dry rot, wet rot & beetle infestation (woodworm) due to water damage & leaking roofs.
• & report upon any remedial damp & timber treatment work, which may have been previously treated in a property and guaranteed by PCA approved registered damp-proofing and timber treatment companies / contractors or other local specialists offering rising damp, dry rot & woodworm treatment services based in Rhyl area.
• Woodworm treatment specialists / experts in Rhyl can also inspect roofing timbers for any signs of dry rot, wet rot timber decay and active woodworm
• Damp and timber inspection in Rhyl to assess whether (air bricks) sub floor ventilation is adequate and to insure that there is no woodworm, rising damp & wood rot decay present in the floor timbers.
• Dry rot and damp survey with a report as requested by mortgage companies for suspected timber decay dry rot, wet rot and any active woodworm, for clients buying or selling a property.
• A condensation damp mould survey in Rhyl involves damp and mould surveyors inspecting a property for visible signs of any condensation, black mould and other related issues.
• Woodworm specialists in Rhyl can carry out a survey / inspection on sub-floor timbers and to report upon concealed joists, and to determine the condition of any other flooring for suspected wood rot, timber decay & any signs of active wood boring insects (woodworm) at an additional cost.
• For added piece of mind we cover the whole of Wales. We survey all types of construction- e.g., stone & brick built cottages, detached, semi-detached, mid & end terraced house, bungalow, ground floor flat etc. 

Of course, all the above are subject to your instructions. The most important aspect for any damp and timber survey is whether access within the property is available, surveys will always be limited by things such as furniture, floor coverings, fitted kitchen units, etc. However, we can use an array of surveying equipment including; endoscopes, ladders, dual mode moisture meters, mirrors and even binoculars.

It is also in one’s best interest to obtain an in-depth pre purchase specialist timber & damp report and survey from damp-proofing & timber Treatment specialists in Rhyl, especially if any wood rot, rising damp and woodworm infestation problems have been highlighted in a building surveyors home buyers report.

Our specialist damp and timber surveyors are experts and accredited Certificated Surveyors in Remedial  Damp & Timber Treatments (C.S.R.T ) by the Property Care Association (P.C.A)

It is important to have a property checked for rising dampness & inspected for woodworm infestation, prior to exchanging contracts, so the cost of any specialist damp-proofing and timber treatment for wood boring beetles can be negotiated with the vendor.

You may not buying a property, and therefore do not need a mortgage damp and timber report , just correct diagnosis of a small isolated damp problem then click on our trouble shooter survey

Independent damp-proofing and timber treatment services offered by Adept UK surveyors, are to control and prevent any rising damp, timber decay and woodworm infestation.

We provide independent specialist damp and timber surveys & reports which will accurately diagnose any dampness & decay issues using in-depth surveying  techniques which are sympathetic towards buildings, an approach widely ignored by most damp-proofing and timber treatment companies based in Rhyl. 

Our comprehensive and impartial damp and timber reports come complete with recommendations for any remedial work which are usually chemical free & environmentally friendly solutions ,avoiding costly disruptive treatments used by many damp-proofing & timber treatment companies near you in Rhyl. 

Money saving case histories

Damp and timber survey undertaken on a house in Rhyl to satisfy mortgage requirements

Hendre Close, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 5YE 2019.
Mortgage surveyors & building society surveyors in Rhyl always seem to err on the side of caution when there is the slightest hint of dampness or timber decay in properties they survey. This applies even more in a lot of properties in the UK where a lot of houses are stone built and do not lend themselves to the more popular damp-proofing systems.

Kinmel Bay, Rhyl, Conwy, LL185HZ, 2022.
Most mortgage & building surveyors in Rhyl simply use a moisture meter to detect dampness but these meters are not accurate on plaster or brickwork and they often give mis-leading readings and then surveyors immediately recommend a ‘specialist damp and timber report’.

Forewarned that damp has been picked up on a mortgage survey these ‘free damp surveys’ (which are really just damp & timber quotes) these companies will regularly mis-diagnose rising damp and recommend chemical damp-proofing & woodworm treatments which is unnecessary, expensive and disruptive. If there is any damp or wood boring insects (woodworm) it can usually be controlled in more cost effective, eco-friendly ways.

Bodelwyddan, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 5WD 2021.
Most houses & bungalows in Rhyl that were built around 1875 to 1900 etc. have had a physical damp-proof course fitted and despite what a lot of damp-proofing surveyors say these are unlikely to break down and allow rising dampness to occur. Despite knowing this a survey detected ‘rising damp’ on the front wall of the house as part of a mortgage survey and recommended further investigation.

We found that the existing damp-course was intact and still functioning and that the cause of the ‘rising damp’ was due to leaking guttering which had allowed rainwater to splash back off the driveway and into the base of the wall. Moisture then travels through the wall by capillary action to appear as induced ‘rising damp’ internally. No damp-proofing works were required and all that was needed was the replacement of the defective gutter, saving our client the expense of having unnecessary and expensive damp-proofing works carried out

This semi-detached 1920s bungalow in Rhyl was being a sold and the Building Society surveyor for the buyer noted woodworm in the loft & under stairs storage space and a free quote was obtained from a Prestatyn based damp-proofing and timber treatment company who recommended woodworm treatment to the whole house at a cost of around £2800,00. We surveyed the loft and found that the woodworm was not active and there was no justification for any woodworm timber treatments.

Our woodworm report was submitted to the mortgage provider who accepted our findings and agreed that there was no need for any treatments for wood boring insects to the roof & staircase let alone the whole house!!!. If you need a woodworm inspection in Rhyl, then simply get in touch. Abergele Road, Rhyl, LL18 5SR

Condensation Specialists in Rhyl

Adept UK damp and condensation specialists have helped reduce condensation and damp issues in Rhyl and the surrounding areas.  At Adept UK, we pride ourselves in our customer service and look forward to demonstrating how we can assist you and your condensation problems.

In Rhyl condensation and damp problems can cause significant damage to properties, and if left untreated it can take a long time and be very expensive to repair. Damp & condensation problems can lead to further issues including mould, decorative spoiling & damage to furniture and house contents.

Of the many problems that can affect your home over time, dampness & condensation are two of the most troubling. Damp is capable of affecting the whole structure of your property and can also result in health problems for residents. 

These problems cause stress and worry, for home owners, tenants and landlords. Damp and condensation look’s unsightly, despite regular cleaning, so it is essential to deal with the root cause. 

Obtaining an independent survey is advisable for an accurate and informative diagnosis, using plain English, with no hidden agenda of obtaining works or materials that are often ineffective and often not needed

Diagnosing damp & timber decay problems in Rhyl.

The first step in fixing dampness is to find the main source. There are many different types of dampness – here are the signs you should be looking out for.

RISING DAMP

Rising damp is caused by a non-existent or faulty damp-proof course and describes the action of groundwater moving up through a wall through capillary action. Due to the nature of rising damp, only your ground floor walls will be affected by this type of damp. Signs of rising damp include:

• A noticeable tidemark on an interior wall up to 1.5m
• Peeling or flaking skirting boards
• Blistering plaster or paint
• White powder on walls (salts)

PENERTRATING DAMPNESS

Penetrating damp, otherwise referred to as water ingress, means that water is making its way into your home from the outside. This can occur in a number of ways, either via a burst pipe, leaky roof, or damaged masonry. Common signs of penetrating damp include:

• Localized damp patches on walls or ceilings
• Damp that becomes more visible on external walls when it rains
• Moss or algae growth on external walls
• Damaged brickwork
• Damaged guttering and down pipes

CONDENSATION

Condensation is caused by poor ventilation and is the most common type of damp to affect UK homes. Condensation mostly occurring during the winter when the difference between external and internal temperatures is most dramatic. Signs of condensation problem include:

• Fogging on windows
• Black mould growth on windowsills, walls or even furniture
• Smell of mildew
• Blistering paint
• Peeling wallpaper

TIMBER ROT

It is important to catch timber rot before it has time to develop. Dry rot in particular spreads very easily throughout a property and weakens rafters and floorboards over time, to the point that they will eventually become unsafe. Dry rot and wet rot affect your timbers in different ways:

DRY ROT

• Damp, fungal mushroom type smell
• Affected timber feels brittle and warped
• Deep cracks in the wood – often in a ‘cube’ formation
• Evidence of mycelium growth on timbers (white fluffy coating)
• Large fruiting bodies

WET ROT

• Affected timber feels wet and spongy
• Affected timber will appear darker
• Easy to crumble
• Damp, musty odour
• Look out for black fungus growth

If you have already identified your damp problem, great! Our damp experts can offer an affordable and effective damp treatment. If you need further help with identifying the cause of damp in your home, then we can carry out a professional damp survey to provide the answers you need to get started on repairs. Contact our independent timber and damp experts today!

Adept UK surveyors have been providing damp surveys, woodworm surveys, dry rot surveys & specialist damp and timber reports for   many years and are recognized as one of Rhyl’s most established and respected damp specialists in surveying and diagnosing problems with rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, dry rot wood rotting fungi, woodworm. 

We have carried out countless inspections for rising damp, woodworm & dry rot, saving many clients thousands of pounds on unnecessary chemical damp-proofing & timber treatment work on properties in Rhyl.

If a more in-depth specialist damp and timber survey & report has been requested by your mortgage lender, home buyer or building surveyor, it may seem like a worrying prospect, especially if you are a first-time buyer, but be assured, this is normal practice and should not discourage you from buying a new house.

It is important for you to ensure that your property is free from any damp and timber defects which could get progressively worse and depreciate your investment.

If you have been informed by the vendor that previous specialist damp proofing & woodworm treatment has been carried out by other property care companies, which is guaranteed, you and your solicitor are advised to check exactly which areas of the property have been treated, if the company is a registered member of the Property Care Association (PCA) and if the contractors guarantee is valid.

Never assume that the property is completely covered and check that the specialist damp-proofing & woodworm timber treatment company in Rhyl is still trading.

Adept UK C.S.R.T. qualified specialist damp-proofing and timber treatment surveyors will carry out a thorough survey of the property and test to determine the exact cause of any defects.

Damp experts Rhyl will expose timbers and lift floor boards wherever possible, take random moisture reading, using a calibrated moisture meter and inspect the property externally to check for building defects.

You will then be issued with a comprehensive report from property care specialists, detailing our surveyors’ findings and what remedial work is recommended, including images and a floor plan.

You may be enticed by the offer of a “free survey” by other damp-proofing & woodworm timber treatment specialists based in Rhyl, however some local damp-proofing contractors and surveyors invariably state that your property has rising dampness and will unsurprisingly recommend the installation of a chemical damp-proof course together with timber treatments.

These treatments offered by approved damp-proofing specialists & dry rot treatment companies in Rhyl are rarely required and completely unjustifiable.

Before waiting for a purchaser to have a ‘free damp and timber survey’ it would be considered prudent, for any homeowner selling their property, to have their own damp survey and written damp report undertaken to find the full extent and costs of any suspected rising damp, woodworm, & timber decay thus avoiding any potential buyer withdrawing their offer and pulling out of a property sale.

Adept UK independent surveyors undertake independent damp, dry rot, timber decay & condensation mould surveys for homeowners, buyers, sellers, estate agents, management letting agencies, banks mortgage lenders, landlords, tenants, solicitors, housing associations, and equity release companies located in Rhyl.

So if you live in Rhyl and think that you have any problems with dampness, woodworm or timber decay and need free impartial honest advice from damp-proof & dry rot treatment specialists then please call Adept UK  or email  us by clicking on our contact form  where you are guaranteed a fast, friendly independent specialist damp & timber report service.

Why would you need an Independent Damp and Timber Survey in Rhyl?

• An Independent damp and timber Survey is an ideal way of ensuring that your property is safeguarded against woodworm infestation, wood rot decay, and rising dampness particularly where basements or cellars are concerned.
• An Independent damp and timber Survey can also be used to speed up the claims process in the unfortunate event of an insurance claim for damage caused by dampness & timber decay.
• The findings of an Independent damp and timber report can be used to generate a specification for damp & timber treatment contractors to follow when carrying out damp-proofing and timber treatment works, refurbishment or remedial plastering work.
• Owners of all types of properties will also find an Independent damp survey highly beneficial when coming to sell their property as an it will give prospective purchasers peace of mind and therefore speed up the sale. If a problem is uncovered however, the vendor then has the opportunity remedy the situation prior to marketing the property saving any last-minute glitches in the sales process.
• After our initial damp and timber inspection our report will make everything clear by including, explanations of observations and a breakdown of any cost for wood rot, rising damp & woodworm infestation treatment.
• An Independent damp Survey is an ideal means of avoiding situations where bad advice is given by unqualified damp-proofing and timber treatment companies therefore giving you peace of mind that the information you receive during a damp-proof assessment and in a written report is given impartially with no ulterior motive.

Damp Surveys in Rhyl.

Independent damp surveyors in Rhyl will inspect your property and carryout a damp survey  using conductivity meters and relatively readings to compile a specialist damp report that details the cause of the problem, risks of neglect and how to tackle the damp issue. Specifically, our  specialist damp surveyors will identify the type of damp on walls in your home, allowing you to eliminate the problem before it becomes dangerous.

Woodworm Treatment Companies in Rhyl 

Woodworm services in Rhyl, can vary quite significantly and, in most cases, not even be necessary. Woodworm can be found in roof and  floor timbers in properties throughout Rhyl however, the key to treating woodworm infestations is to actually know whether or not the woodworm evidence found in a loft or flooring timbers is historic or active.

Or if the beetle infestation requires any treatment at all!! When these two simple points are determined by one of our qualified CSRT surveyors, it could result in saving you hundreds, even thousands of pounds on unnecessary woodworm treatment services.

With over 40 years treating woodworm we are one of the most experienced and trusted woodworm companies in Rhyl. 

Woodworm Treatment in Rhyl

Do you need woodworm treatment in Rhyl? Then we can help you, we provide professional woodworm treatment quotes throughout Rhyl. If you have woodworm problems, in your floorboards, floor joists or roof timbers then please contact us for an inspection, we offer fast efficient woodworm treatment with very competitive prices.

Woodworm infestations can be isolated to one room or can become well established throughout the whole of a building and can cause significant structural damage. Therefore, if you find evidence of a suspect Woodworm Infestation, it is crucial to get qualified independent advice by a Woodworm specialist holding the CSRT qualification to avoid the wrong diagnosis and treatments. 

Dry Rot Specialists in Rhyl. 

Dry Rot is a serious fungal infection that can be found in buildings throughout Rhyl and the UK. Dry Rot can have a devastating effect on building s and can be very costly to treat and eradicate.

Dry Rot is a serious fungal infection that can spread throughout buildings, through masonry and behind plaster work. It feeds on timber and has the ability to remove all structural integrity from timbers.

Dry Rot Surveys in Rhyl.

Dry rot surveys & treatments by specialists are required to eradicate the fungal infection following strict specialist protocol. Any person(s) dealing with the infection should hold the CSRT qualification (Certified Surveyor in Remedial Treatments) to ensure that the relevant and specialist Dry Rot Treatment procedures are being carried out.

If the essential procedures are not carried out, the Dry Rot fungal infection is likely to return. When a Dry Rot outbreak has been identified it is essential that treatment is carried out as soon as possible to avoid further damage and further expense.

All Dry Rot surveys in Rhyl are carried out by a fully qualified CSRT surveyor to provide you with the correct diagnosis and advice on treating and eradicating the Dry Rot fungus.

When dealing with Dry Rot you should always use a qualified dry rot specialist surveyor and the dry rot survey should always be carried out by a CSRT surveyor. For a Dry Rot survey in Rhyl, call us today to arrange and discuss a fully comprehensive timber survey by a qualified Dry Rot Specialist.

Damp-Proofing Specialists in Rhyl. 

Many enquiry’s we have from clients throughout Rhyl, is that they need a quotation from damp-proof specialists because they suspect rising damp and have been informed by a other damp-proofing and timber treatment companies that they have rising damp and damp-proofing is needed in the form of a chemical damp-proof injection.

This is usually not the case. Most of the time dampness is found to be present due to lack of maintenance, bridging of the physical damp-proof course or another source of moisture.

If you notice tide marks on your walls, peeling paint, wet patches or damaged skirting boards, you may have a rising damp problem, which most commonly affects older properties. Rising damp occurs when porous materials, such as mortar, bricks and stone, soak up moisture, and the dangers include timber decay, wet rot, various health conditions and more.

Whether it’s due to the damp-proof course in your walls being ineffective, poor ventilation or a drainage problem, it’s crucial to resolve the issue promptly for the sake of your comfort, finances and home’s condition.

This is where our independent specialist damp and timber surveyors’ step in to provide you with an accurate and honest diagnosis. Initially, locating the damp proof course/level is the first procedure. Then identifying potential bridging issues of the damp proof course level, or in other instances other sources of moisture ingress that may present as rising damp to the inexperienced surveyor but in actual fact this is far from accurate.

In most cases, simple general building works which can be carried out by general contractors can be carried out to resolve damp problems without the use of costly chemical damp proof courses/damp proofing.

Book A Rising Damp Survey Rhyl.

A damp survey in Rhyl is available to all local residents. We do charge for damp surveys but the fee is usually deducted from any chemical treatments which are found to be necessary. This can be discussed when you get in touch to discuss or arrange your survey and we will inform you of the survey costs involved, this will be advised to you in advance of our visit.

Adept UK Damp & Decay are damp survey experts; we are fully equipped and trained to work on properties of all sizes and scales. You can book a damp survey for your home or commercial building. We work with home owners, architects, designers and property developers.

Visiting Your Property For A Rising Damp Survey.

Damp surveys and diagnosing any moisture issue in your home or property should always be treated as a priority. When you are planning to buy a property, we understand you need to move quickly. If the situation occurs that you need a damp proof survey urgently, you can call on Adept UK Damp & Decay.

We are happy to arrange to attend your property, usually the next working day, if it suits you. Alternatively, you can book your damp survey at a more convenient time. Our rising damp surveys service can be useful for both property owners and landlords, whether it is for your current property or one you are looking to potentially buy or let in the future.

If you need a damp proof survey on a property that you do not yet own or are in the process of buying, we will be happy to arrange to meet with an estate agent or tenant on your behalf.

Adept UK Damp Surveyors are all experts, with extensive knowledge and experience when dealing with rising dampness. A damp survey report will identify these common problems. We can also look at associated timber defects, such as dry rot or woodworm infestations, caused as a result of rising damp.

If you are worried about your home or a property you are buying, get in touch with our team to arrange a comprehensive damp survey, today!  Adept UK are North Wales independent leading damp proofing and timber treatment specialists.

Our independent damp proof survey reports are recognised by banks, building societies and mortgage lenders. If you need a rising damp survey then simply call our rising damp specialists in Rhyl. 

An Adept UK damp survey in Rhyl is carried out by a fully qualified CSRT surveyor to provide you with the correct diagnosis of any damp problems you may have. Once the damp problem has been diagnosed, an appropriate damp proofing recommendation can be provided in writing with our specially designed damp report.

• Specialist Damp And Timber Surveys In Rhyl
• Damp & Timber Report for Clients Buying a New House / Property in Rhyl 
• Damp Surveys for Rising Damp
• Timber Surveys for Woodworm, Dry Wet Rot
• Damp-Proofing Companies in Rhyl
• Timber Treatment & Damp Specialists in Rhyl
• Condensation Specialists & Damp Control in Rhyl
• Black Mould Removal & Condensation Specialist

Damp & timber surveys & reports for residents based in Rhyl including Abergele, Bodelwyddan, Denbigh, Flint, Holywell, Prestatyn, Ruthin, Talacre, Towyn, and all the areas in between with the most reliable independent damp-proofing, timber treatment & woodworm services in the North Wales area.

Why are My Walls Wet After It Rains?

Damp in the home or business premises can make living and working conditions uncomfortable, as well as potentially unsafe if the root cause is left untreated. There are many reasons why you might be experiencing damp in your property.

For example, rising damp in your house or bungalow in Rhyl can occur from a missing or damaged DPC (Damp Proof Course). However, if you have noticed that your walls are wet on the inside after heavy rainfall, you may well be suffering from an issue known as penetrating damp.

What is Penetrating Dampness?

Penetrating dampness is the name given to the movement of water from exterior facades or roof defects to interior surfaces. It can occur after particularly heavy rainfall in properties with solid brick construction, properties without an insulating cavity, or if the cavity has been incorrectly filled.

If a cavity has been filled with inappropriate material, it can soak up and hold a lot of moisture which slowly permeates into interior walls, causing wet patches on the wall after rain.

This type of damp can also be caused by leaky gutters that are broken, wrongly installed or incorrectly sized for the property, which causes water to be directed to the wall instead of away from your home.

Similar problems can occur from cracked or broken rendering and brickwork, or if windows have been installed badly or if the sill has been damaged, directing water onto the wall below instead of funnelling it away from the house, resulting in a wet wall.

Basement walls that are earth retaining commonly suffer from penetrating dampness as they are subjected to changes in water table levels that occasionally occur.

When is Penetrating Dampness Most Common?

Penetrating dampness is likely to occur on exterior walls where the ground level is above the interior walls, creating a “bridging” effect for moisture to avoid the DPC and easily travel from exterior to interior surfaces.

Faulty brickwork could be the underlying reason for any walls above ground level to be wet with damp as a result of defects in the construction or damage caused by natural causes such as extreme weather (such as from frost and/or storms).

It is worth noting that even the smallest crack or crevice in a porous wall can invite large quantities of moisture/water and cause extensive damage. This can make it exceptionally hard to identify the cause of penetrating damp to the untrained eye which is why it is always recommended you hire a professional to take a look around if you suspect you have a damp issue of any kind.

What are the Signs of Penetrating Dampness?

If you suspect that your property in Rhyl may be suffering from penetrating dampness, you are likely to see the following signs around your property:

• Wet patches on walls that grow in size after rain
• Damp patches that occur on any part of the wall (high or low)
• Peeling or blistering of wallpaper or paint
• Discoloured paintwork or wallpaper
• Crumbling or blistering of plaster
• Black mould from condensation appearing on walls cooled by water ingress

These symptoms may also be reminiscent of other types of damp, and that can make it hard to distinguish between them. Regardless of what type of damp you have, be it penetrating dampness or rising damp, the risks to your home and your health are much the same.

What Happens if Left Untreated?

Without solving the source of penetrating dampness, whether caused by defective cavity insulation, leaking gutters or broken brickwork, the problem will continue to persist and can lead to some severe problems around your property, including:

• Wet rot
• Dry rot
• Structural problems
• Mould growth
• Salt deposits (which cause increased moisture ingress)
• Timber decay

All of these issues can be costly to fix and can cause real damage to the foundation and structural integrity of your home, not to mention your health. Mould growth can greatly irritate asthma sufferers and those with lung conditions, as well as those with skin conditions such as eczema.

If left long enough, damp could make your house unsafe to live in which is why it’s essential at the first sign of damp or wet walls you employ professionals to identify and treat the problem at its cause.

Preventing Damp

Whilst penetrating dampness is almost always the result of a defect outside of your control, it’s still important to minimize the risk of any other form of damp impeding on your home. There are several easy ways you can reduce the risk of excess moisture causing issues for you inside your home, including:

• Regularly opening windows in all rooms in the house. This will allow clean air to circulate, damp air to dissipate and improve the overall quality of the air in your home. At least an hour a day is ideal, even in winter.
• Installing an extractor fan in the bathroom and kitchen. In addition to opening windows in these rooms, it is wise to install an extractor fan to aid the eradication of excess steam and moisture in the air. Doing so could greatly reduce the risk of condensation which is common in these rooms.
• Placing furniture away from radiators. By leaving a gap (where possible) warm air will be able to move freely around the room. Not only will these benefit you in terms of heating up the room better, but it will prevent hot air from getting trapped between the furniture and radiator which could and often does cause damp.
• Buying a dehumidifier. If your home or rooms within it have poor ventilation, buying a dehumidifier will absorb moisture molecules in the air and prevent them from settling on the wall or ceiling (which causes damp). This is especially common in basements and wet rooms that don’t have a window.

Cleaning and maintaining gutters and drains to prevent spilling and subsequent water ingress. Unless there is an obvious source of moisture, property owners can often misdiagnose the type of damp that is affecting their structure, which can lead to costly and inefficient DIY repairs. If you are concerned about penetrating or rising damp in your Rhyl-based property, please don’t hesitate to give our expert and friendly team a call on 0800 246 5668 to book a survey.

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